The first day of Spring snuck up on me this year, perhaps because of the snow that fell last week. However, the days are getting lighter and longer, and the temperatures are slowly warming up. According to Chinese Medicine, spring is associated with the Liver organ and channel, which govern the movement of energy and emotions in the body. The quality of the energy is more expansive and active compared to winter days; hence it is important to keep the flow of qi moving. To do so, limit salty, heavy and greasy foods and eat more young vegetables - asparagus, ramps, fiddleheads, sprouts, watercress, beets, and young leafy greens. As well, add the juice of ½ a lemon to water or drink milk thistle, dandelion or chamomile tea to aid the proper functioning of the liver.

When the energy of the liver channel is imbalanced one may feel stressed, anger, resentment, frustration, arrogance, mood swings, emotional outburst or depression. To keep the body in balance: exercise; get outside; eat more fresh food; spring clean; come to a yoga class, yoga & acupuncture workshop, or treat yourself to acupuncture to help move that Liver energy.